Charity

Ferrets are aff ectionate and fun loving

In 2014, a ferret called Grumpy Gareth left Woodside for Dartmoor Prison. Gareth had been something of a liability as he hated others of his kind and had temporarily blocked any more being taken in. Thanks to a BBC TV article, Gareth began a life sentence to help with rodent control and also provide inmates with an animal to care for. Although Gareth got his heavenly release some time ago, prison staff reached out in August and have now taken on three homeless ferrets to carry on the tradition. Scrappy was found covered in ticks close to a cliff edge, he was very nervous but is now healthy and his confi dence is improving daily with all the attention being given on his prison wing. Tuck was a stray who arrived so dirty it took time to discover he was actually an albino underneath. Goose’s owners were unable to take him when they moved and, for a time, there was concern about his splayed back legs. Fortunately, despite his funny walk, the deformity didn’t worry him and he’s a very happy boy. All have been neutered which, certainly in Tuck’s case, has removed the terrible smell that banished him to the sanctuary’s outside ferret run. Home-checker Clare said: ‘Dartmoor Prison is a wonderful forever home for these boys, I’ve never seen pet housing like it! At least 13 x 20 foot and full of tunnels, shrubs and toys etc.’

“Dartmoor Prison is a wonderful forever home for these boys, I’ve never seen pet housing like it! ”

Mustela Putorius Furo - which translates as ‘stinky, raging thief’ is an awful mouthful for what can be a very aff ectionate and fun loving pet - if handled young enough. They are inquisitive and, unlike Gareth, are usually very sociable and enjoy living in groups called a ‘Busyness’. They can sleep for 18 hours at a time but are otherwise very lively and can even be walked in a harness. Ferrets can live up to around ten years, something to consider when thinking of taking one on. Unlike their constant supply of cats, dogs and rabbits, Woodside doesn’t always have any for adoption. For advice or news of any needing a home, please ring the sanctuary on 01752 311528 or visit www.woodsidesanctuary. org.uk n

Charity uses pioneering feeding aid for orphan foals

International animal welfare charity, The Donkey Sanctuary, has developed a pioneering suckling system to help the natural development of orphaned foals in its care.

The idea came from one of the charity’s grooms who had experience in the agriculture sector and had seen an artifi cial suckling system used to rear new-born lambs. Sam, an orphaned donkey foal relinquished into The Donkey Sanctuary’s care at just one week old, was initially hand reared with bottle feeds every three to four hours. The team caring for Sam noticed potentially concerning behaviours developing, such as rearing up and biting in a playful manner, and the decision was taken to adapt the artifi cial suckling system to replace hand rearing. On the artifi cial system, Sam’s milk formula was accessible 24 hours a day. Detailed monitoring revealed that he suckled at a very variable rate throughout a that he suckled at a very variable rate throughout a 24-hour period, replicating natural rearing behaviour. 24-hour period, replicating natural rearing behaviour. Sam also suckled at times without taking in milk, Sam also suckled at times without taking in milk, demonstrating that suckling behaviour is a key part of demonstrating that suckling behaviour is a key part of maternal nurturing. Foals are dependent on a milk-based diet for at least Foals are dependent on a milk-based diet for at least three to four months of life, which has signifi cant cost three to four months of life, which has signifi cant cost and resource implications for equine sanctuaries. and resource implications for equine sanctuaries. Ben Hart, The Donkey Sanctuary’s Senior Lead Ben Hart, The Donkey Sanctuary’s Senior Lead Behaviour and Human Behaviour Change, said: Behaviour and Human Behaviour Change, said: ‘Although rare, orphaned foals are one of the greatest ‘Although rare, orphaned foals are one of the greatest challenges to equid care and welfare. Hand rearing challenges to equid care and welfare. Hand rearing is often the only option for equine is often the only option for equine sanctuaries when an orphan arrives. sanctuaries when an orphan arrives. However, too much inappropriate However, too much inappropriate handling from humans can result in handling from humans can result in behavioural issues as the foal grows.’ behavioural issues as the foal grows.’ Foals learn a great deal about the Foals learn a great deal about the These included head butting the teat, chewing or rubbing the teat and staying close by even when not feeding – all behaviours considered to be non-nutritive suckling and similar to when foals stay close to their mothers in the fi rst fi ve months of life. n

“Sam fl ourished in the overall care of The Donkey Sanctuary and recently The Donkey Sanctuary and recently reached the age where the team could reached the age where the team could consider him for rehoming. ”consider him for rehoming.

world by biting things and interacting with them in this way. Bottle-reared foals may exhibit more of this behaviour because of incorrect handling, such as being pushed away, which the foal interprets as positive, playful attention. The artifi cial feeding system is simple, consisting of a plastic tube leading from an enclosed milk bucket to a lamb bottle teat attached to a stable door at an appropriate height. The Heatwave Milk Warmer heats the formula in the plastic tube as it passes through the machine. The system also allowed for 24-hour camera monitoring and the team caring for Sam observed other activities replicating the natural behaviour of foals. These included head butting the teat, chewing or rubbing the teat and staying close by even when not feeding – all behaviours considered to be non-nutritive suckling and similar to when foals stay close to their mothers in the fi rst fi ve months of life. n